ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To examine whether BMI impacts the outcomes of mechanically ventilated patients. METHODS: Data was collected retrospectively among patients involved in motor vehicle accidents in intensive care at a major trauma center in Atlanta, GA. Patients were categorized into five BMI groups: underweight (BMI < 18.5), normal weight (BMI of 18.5-24.9), overweight (BMI of 25-29.9), obese (BMI of 30-39.9), and morbidly obese (BMI of >40). RESULTS: Among all patients (n=2,802), 3% of patients were underweight, 34% were of normal weight, 30% were overweight, 27% were obese, and 6% were morbidly obese. The mean number of ventilator days for normal weight patients was 4.6, whereas the mean number of ventilator days for underweight and morbidly obese patients were higher (10.3 and 7.4, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Underweight and morbidly obese populations may require additional interventions during their ICU stays to address the challenges presented by having an unhealthy BMI.
